Chapter 342: Chapter 181: First Encounter with Organ Refining
"Before, I was always cautious, hiding whenever I could and staying completely out of their sight."
"This time, they were the ones who came looking for me, wanting me and my adopted son and daughter to work for them."
"But the Blood Saber Gang will stop at nothing. They often murder, rob, and even wipe out entire families."
"Although I’m just a petty thief, I know that if you do too many unconscionable things, you’ll face karmic retribution sooner or later. How could I dare to join their ranks?"
As Jian Luchuan spoke, he looked at Chen Cheng, but hesitated to continue.
Chen Cheng said, "If you have something to say, don’t hesitate to speak your mind."
Jian Luchuan could only say cautiously, "The Blood Saber Gang only noticed me because their men were tailing you, Master Chen. They accidentally saw Ji Qing and Gou Yi reporting to you."
"At the time, you were an Official in Lishui District, so the Blood Saber Gang naturally didn’t dare to cause trouble for me."
"I didn’t think much of it then, but it turned out to be quite a coincidence. Among the Blood Saber Gang members tailing you was a man named Zhai Yongba."
"A few days ago, Zhai Yongba came to Ruyi District, established the Ba Dao Gang, and began operating in the neighborhoods near Locust Tree Lane."
"And since Ji Qing and Gou Yi had just bought a residence on Locust Tree Lane, they once again caught Zhai Yongba’s eye."
"That’s what led to the Blood Saber Gang seeking me out."
"Well, what do you know! For such a huge place, Linji City is a pretty small world!" Chen Cheng exclaimed, quite surprised.
Chen Cheng might have been sighing at the coincidence, but he knew what Jian Luchuan said was likely true.
Linji City was a metropolis of over a million people. Many of its inhabitants went their entire lives without ever exploring the whole city.
Even Chen Cheng’s own travels were limited to the South City District and the Inner City District.
He had never set foot in the three other Outer City Districts: Dongcheng, West, and North.
But the city’s size was relative. In the eyes of a Jianghu Martial Artist, it probably wasn’t so large after all.
Take Ma Sitian, for example, an acquaintance of Chen Cheng’s. He had traveled all the way to the Dongcheng District just to mess around in a gang.
And for a major gang like the Blood Saber Gang, they likely had underlings and informants throughout all Four Outer City Districts of Linji City.
Now that Jian Luchuan was targeted by the Blood Saber Gang, it was clearly impossible for him to escape and live a quiet life in Linji City. His only option was to leave the city entirely and flee to another Prefecture City or county town.
’But would other places truly be a safe haven?’
Jian Luchuan had once been a Perfect Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm. Now, with his qi and blood in decline, his strength was only at the level of Great Success in Skin Grinding Realm.
Ji Qing and Gou Yi were in their prime, but they were merely Small Success Martial Artists in the Skin Grinding Realm.
If they had chosen a legitimate livelihood from the start, such as becoming an Official in the City Guard Department or a Hospital Martial Artist for a wealthy family, their Martial Arts Power would have been enough to ensure a stable life.
But having joined a Thief Gang and become people of the Jianghu, the strength of the three of them was simply not enough to get by.
Having risen from humble beginnings himself, Chen Cheng deeply understood the feeling that weakness itself was a sin.
"Sigh... I’m also a man of the Jianghu, unable to control my own fate."
Jian Luchuan let out a long sigh. "When I was young, I was naive. I thought if I just saved up enough silver coins, I could eventually live a good life, so I resolutely walked down the wrong path."
"Now, trying to turn over a new leaf is incredibly difficult. It’s too late for regrets."
"I know my sins are heavy, but I don’t complain or have regrets for myself. It’s just my poor adopted son and daughter who have to suffer along with me."
Chen Cheng was not an indecisive man. Since this matter was connected to him, he would simply resolve it.
A minor group like the Blood Saber Gang wasn’t even worth his attention.
As for the Wang Family backing the Blood Saber Gang, they had already put a Hidden Flower bounty on his head. They were mortal enemies. Sooner or later, there would be a reckoning to settle all their scores, new and old.
At this thought, Chen Cheng said, "Alright. From now on, you three will follow me."
"However, I’m currently staying at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall. If I want to bring you into the Inner City, I’ll need to discuss it with the Sixth Madam."
"Do you have a place to stay at the moment?"
Overjoyed, Jian Luchuan immediately pulled Ji Qing and Gou Yi down to kowtow in gratitude.
After they bowed, Jian Luchuan said, "Rest assured, Master Chen. That Zhai Yongba is only a Perfect Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm. Although I am no match for him..."
"...both Qing’Er and Yi’Er have already advanced to Great Success in Skin Grinding Realm. If we fight with our lives on the line, the three of us do not fear him."
"I’ve already taken care of my properties in Lishui District. For now, I’m staying with Qing’Er and Yi’Er on Locust Tree Lane."
"Once they learn that the three of us are following you, Master Chen, I’m sure the Blood Saber Gang won’t dare to bother us."
"Alright." Chen Cheng nodded slightly.
"Master Chen, the three of us have saved up some silver coins. We don’t need you to support us."
"These are some of my savings. Why don’t you hold onto them for safekeeping for now?"
Jian Luchuan took out a Money Bag and handed it to Chen Cheng.
Chen Cheng took it and saw a stack of silver notes inside, totaling over one thousand taels of silver.
"The three of you all have the strength of Great Success in Skin Grinding Realm. Can’t you even hold onto this small amount of money?"
Chen Cheng shot him a look and stuffed the Money Bag back into his hands.
...
After returning to the Zheng Martial Arts Hall, Chen Cheng went to his room and immersed himself in Cultivating the Martial Dao.
「At noon.」
Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang arrived together. After their usual freeloaded meal at the Chens’, they invited Chen Cheng to the Shen Family’s estate.
Chen Cheng was already prepared for this. He knew he would have to meet the Shen Family Elders eventually, so he readily accepted the invitation.
The Shen Family estate was vast, occupying most of the blocks in the southwestern corner of the Inner City District.
The Shen Family, along with their affiliated families, comprised several hundred households and an estimated population of several thousand people.
Previously, Chen Cheng had only ever been to the outermost streets of the estate. This time, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang led him straight into the Shen Family’s core territory.
In this area, the streets were wide and immaculate, lined with towering, magnificent buildings that created an imposing atmosphere.
Its grandeur was in no way inferior to the central region of the Inner City District.
Along the way, Shen Qingyao told Chen Cheng about the Shen Family.
She spoke of the Shen Family Ancestor’s power, the formidable Martial Artists among the Shen Family Elders, and the strength of the clan’s various industries and influences.
Chen Cheng listened, his expression calm and unruffled from start to finish. Seeing him so placid and unfazed, Shen Qingyao couldn’t help but grow secretly curious.
After all, for a great clan like the Shen Family, which held sway over an entire Prefecture City, an ordinary person would never have the chance to set foot in its core territory.
This was especially true for someone from a humble background. A sudden glimpse of such grandeur would surely leave them utterly shocked.
But Chen Cheng’s composed demeanor shocked Shen Qingyao instead. Even Shen Qingshuang found herself frequently casting surprised glances at him.
She truly couldn’t understand why someone from a small place like Locust Tree Lane in Ruyi District would have absolutely no reaction upon entering the core of the Shen Family estate!
When they arrived before a deep and sprawling grand residence at the very center of the estate, Shen Qingyao could no longer contain herself and spoke up.
"Junior Brother Chen, don’t you have any questions?"
Chen Cheng seemed slightly taken aback. "What do you mean, Senior Sister Qingyao?" he asked, puzzled.
"Sigh..." Shen Qingyao let out a soft sigh. She was finally certain of one thing: Chen Cheng’s composed demeanor was not an act.
’Perhaps even a power as immense as the Shen Family couldn’t stir the slightest ripple in his heart.’
’This is completely unreasonable!’
’After all, not only is Chen Cheng from a Humble Family, he’s also just a mere Muscle Strengthening Realm Martial Artist. What right does he have to be so composed?’
Though she was reluctant to admit it, Shen Qingyao’s intuition told her that Chen Cheng didn’t feel flattered or honored by the personal invitation from the Shen Family Elders.
Instead, he treated it as casually as a routine visit to a neighbor’s house.
’That’s right, completely casual.’ The thought of that word made Shen Qingyao secretly angry again. She decided to hit Chen Cheng with something more substantial. Her pretty little lips curled slightly as she said:
"Junior Brother Chen, did you know that today, our Shen Family Ancestor wishes to see you personally?"
"The Shen Family Ancestor?" Chen Cheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The Ancestors of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City were legendary Organ Refining Realm Martial Artists.
The Five Realms of Body Refining were Skin Grinding, Muscle Strengthening, Bone Forging, Marrow Cleansing, and Organ Refining. An Organ Refining Realm Martial Artist was one who had reached the very peak of the Body Refining Realm.
In all of Linji City, one could count the number of such individuals on a single hand.
In the eyes of Linji City’s million-plus inhabitants, these few individuals were as elusive and mysterious as mythical dragons—truly legendary figures.
Seeing that Chen Cheng was finally showing a reaction, a brilliant and charming smile at last blossomed on Shen Qingyao’s stunning face.
She parted her ruby lips and said languidly, "That’s right. The Ancestor said he wants to discuss a major matter with you."
After saying this, her pretty face suddenly blushed. Noticing Chen Cheng’s clear, slightly questioning gaze, she quickly turned her head away with a guilty conscience.
On Chen Cheng’s other side, a blush inexplicably appeared on Shen Qingshuang’s incomparably beautiful, snow-white face as well.
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